Ripper shoe for a plough vehicle

ABSTRACT

A ripper shoe for a plough vehicle, the ripper shoe comprising a nose portion connected to a series of teeth; a trailing portion located behind the nose portion; the trailing portion having an trailing upper section and a trailing lower section; and an attachment portion to at least attach the trailing portion to a sword of the plough vehicle; wherein the width of the upper section is greater than width of the lower section.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a ripper shoe for a plough vehicle that forms part of a plough system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The advantages provided by underground pipes are well recognized by people in the various industries, such as telecommunication, oil, water and gas. However, the laying of underground pipes can be expensive and time consuming. This is especially the case when the terrain provides substantial landscape obstacles such as undulating ground and rivers, in addition, the client requires the pipes to be buried deep into the ground.

The development of the plough system (known in the industry as the “SpiderPlow, Foeck Plough or Spider Plough”) has revolutionized the laying methodologies of underground pipe. The plough system consists of a winch pulling vehicle which is attached via a cable to a plough vehicle. In order to lay pipe using the plough system, pipes are first strung and welded in a continuous line adjacent to where the pipe is to be laid. The starting end of the pipe is then loaded into a pipe laying chute, which forms part of the plough vehicle, using an excavator.

To commence laying the pipe within the ground, the winch vehicle is driven ahead of the plough vehicle. A hydraulic anchor, forming part of the winch vehicle, is then anchored into the ground. A winch, located on the winch vehicle, is then operated to wind in the cable to move forward the plough vehicle. Movement of the plough vehicle causes a ripper shoe, attached to the plough vehicle, to form a trench in the ground. The ripper shoe is located in front of the chute which allows the chute to travel safely through the trench. Pipe fed through the chute is thus laid within the trench. An excavator often trails the plough vehicle to cover the trench if necessary to complete this pipe laying procedure.

The ripper shoe is attached to a sword to enable the ripper shoe to be tilted upwardly or downwardly to control the travel the ripper and accordingly the depth at which the pipe is buried. Current ripper shoes are formed from a front, wedge shaped nose portion connected to one or more teeth. The trailing portion of the ripper shoe, which is connected to the nose portion, is relative solid and substantially rectangular in transverse cross section. Accordingly as the ripper passes through the ground a rectangular shaped trench is created.

Current ripper shoes work very well in soft soils. After the pipe is placed into the trench, the soft soil falls into the trench to cover pipe that has been laid within the trench. However, in hard soils, the trench tends to be self supporting. Accordingly, the soil does not envelope the pipe immediately after the pipe has been laid. This can lead to subsidence issues some time after the pipe has been laid which is undesirable.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to overcome and/or alleviate one or more of the above disadvantages and/or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one form, although not necessarily the only or broadest form, the invention resides a ripper shoe for a plough vehicle, the ripper shoe comprising:

a nose portion connected to a series of teeth;

a trailing portion located behind the nose portion; the trailing portion having an trailing upper section and a trailing lower section; and

an attachment portion to at least attach the trailing portion to a sword of the plough vehicle;

wherein the width of the upper section is greater than width of the lower section.

The nose portion may be generally in the form of a wedge. The wedge may have an angle between 20 and 40 degrees. More preferably wedge may have an angle of between 25 and 35 degrees.

The nose portion may be formed by a nose upper section, nose lower section and a terminal end. The nose upper section and the nose lower section may converge to terminate at the terminal end. The teeth may be removable attached to the nose portion. There are normally at least three teeth.

The nose portion may include a nose web that extends between the nose upper section and the nose lower section. The nose upper section may be inclined with respect to the nose lower section.

The nose upper section may include two nose top lips which extend outwardly from each side of the nose web.

The nose lower section may include two top nose lips which extend outwardly from each side of the nose web.

The trailing portion may be formed by a trailing upper section and trailing lower section. The trailing portion may include a trailing web that extends between the trailing upper section and the trailing lower section.

The trailing upper section may include two top trailing lips which extend outwardly from each side of the trailing web.

The trailing lower section may include two bottom trailing lips which extend outwardly from each side of the trailing web.

The nose portion may be wider than the trailing portion. The width of the trailing top lips may be greater than the width of the trailing bottom lips. That is, the width of a trailing top lips may be wider than the width of the trailing bottom lips. Accordingly a side of trailing portion may be substantially hollow.

The length of the trailing upper section may be greater than the length of the trailing lower section. Accordingly, the trailing top lips may extend rearwardly further than the trailing bottom lips. Normally the trailing top lips extend rearwardly further than the bottom lips. The respective nose top lips and the respective trailing top tips may be integrally formed. Similarly, the respective nose bottom lips and the respective trailing bottom tips may be integrally formed.

A least one flange may interconnect the trailing web and a trailing top lip. Normally, at least one flange also interconnects a nose top lip and a nose bottom lip.

A least one flange may interconnect the nose web and a nose top lip. Normally, at least one flange also interconnects a nose top lip and a nose bottom lip.

The attachment portion may include a recess that located within at least the trailing portion. The recess may also be located within the nose portion. The recess is normally located through the trailing web. The recess may also extend into the nose web. One or more lugs may be located adjacent the recess. Pin holes may extend through the lugs.

Further forms and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment, by way of example only, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a plough vehicle with a ripper shoe attached in accordance with an embodiment of the invention

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the ripper shoe shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the ripper shoe shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the ripper shoe shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 shows a plough vehicle 10 that is used to lay a pipe. The plough vehicle 10 is located behind a winch vehicle (not shown) and is used to plough pipes 5 (or cables) into the ground. The plough vehicle 10 has a cabin body 11 which is supported by four articulated legs 12. A sword 13 extends downwardly from the cabin body 11. A ripper shoe 100 is located at the end of the sword 23. A chute 14 is located behind the sword 13 and ripper shoe 100.

The ripper shoe 100, shown in more detail in FIGS. 2 to 4 is used to both cut and lift the ground so that a pipe can be ploughed into the ground via the chute 14. The ripper shoe 100 is made of steel and includes a nose portion 110, a trailing portion 120 and an attachment portion 130. The nose portion 110, trailing portion 120 and attachment portion 130 are all formed of metal and are integrally formed. The nose portion 110 is used to both cut and lift the ground where the pipe is to be laid. The nose portion 110 is located at the front of the ripper shoe 100. The nose portion 110 includes a nose upper section 111, a nose lower section 112 and a terminal end 113. The nose upper section 111 is tapered with respect to the nose lower section 112 such that the nose upper section 111 and the nose lower section 112 converge to form the terminal end 113. Accordingly, the nose portion 110 is shaped in the form of wedge. The inclination of the wedge shown is approximately 30 degrees.

The terminal end 113 of the nose portion is rounded and is the widest part of the ripper shoe 100. Five teeth 114 are removably attached to the terminal end of the ripper shoe using standard fasteners (not shown). It should be appreciated that the number of teeth and the type of fasteners used to attach the teeth 114 to the terminal end 113 may be varied according to design.

The nose upper section 111 and the nose lower section 113 are linked by a nose web 115. The nose upper section 111 has two nose top lips 116 which extended outwardly and are substantially perpendicular to the nose web 115. The width of the nose top lips 116 are substantially constant throughout the length of the nose top lips. The nose lower section 112 has two bottom nose lips 117 which extended outwardly and are substantially perpendicular to the nose web 115. The width of the bottom nose lips 117 taper outwardly in a curved manner as the nose bottom lips 117 moves toward the terminal end 113.

The trailing portion 120 is used to maintain a space for the pipe to be laid. The trailing portion 120 has a trailing upper trailing section 121 and a trailing lower section 122 interconnected by a trailing web 123. The trailing upper portion has two trailing top lips 124 which extended outwardly and are substantially perpendicular to the trailing web 123. The width of the trailing top lips 124 are substantially constant throughout the length of the trailing top lips 124. The trailing lower portion 122 has two bottom trailing lips 125 which extended outwardly and are substantially perpendicular to the trailing web 123. The width of the trailing bottom lips 125 are substantially constant throughout the length of the trailing bottom lips 125. The width of the trailing top lips 124 are wider than the width of the trailing bottom lips 125. Further, the trailing top lips also extend rearwardly further than the trailing bottom lips.

A number of nose flanges 118 are connected to respective nose top lips 116, bottom nose lips 117 and nose web 115 to provide additional strength. Similarly a number of trailing flanges 126 are connected to respective trailing top lips 124 , trailing bottom lips 125 and trailing web 123 to provide additional strength.

Nose hollows 119 are formed in sides of the nose portion 110 as both the nose top lips 116 and nose bottom lips 117 extend outwardly from the nose web 115. Similarly, trailing hollows 127 are formed in the side of the trailing portion 120 as the trailing top lips 124 and trailing bottom lips 125 extend outwardly from the trailing web 123.

The attachment portion 130 includes a recess 131 and a series of lugs 132. The recess 131 extends through both the nose web 115 and the trailing web 123. The lugs 132, which include pin holes 133, are located adjacent the end of the recess 131. The sword 13 is located within the recess 131 and is fastened to the lugs 132 using pins (not shown which are passed through the pin holes 131.

In use, the ripper shoe 100 is used to lift and then drop the ground over a pipe being laid. Although not to be bound by theory, it is thought that the increase in width of the trailing upper section 121 of trailing portion 120 and the nose upper section 121 of the nose portion 110 compared to the trailing lower section 122 of the trailing portion 120 and a majority of the nose lower section 112 of the trailing portion 110 reduces the compression of the side of trench that is formed by the ripper shoe 100. Further the nose hollows 119 and the trailing hollows 127 also assists in prevent compression of the sides of the trench. In this regard, once of the pipe has been laid, the sides of the of the trench are able to collapse and surround the pipe. Also, as the ripper shoe 100 lifts and replaces the ground as opposed to compressing the ground, the chance of subsidence is greatly reduced.

In this specification, the terms “comprise”, “comprises”, “comprising” or similar terms are intended to mean a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a system, method or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include those elements solely, but may well include other elements not listed.

It should be appreciated that various other changes modifications may be made to the embodiment described with that departed from the spiritual scope of the invention. 

1. A ripper shoe for a plough vehicle, the ripper shoe comprising: a nose portion connected to a series of teeth; a trailing portion located behind the nose portion; the trailing portion having an trailing upper section and a trailing lower section; and an attachment portion to at least attach the trailing portion to a sword of the plough vehicle; wherein the width of the upper section is greater than width of the lower section.
 2. The ripper shoe of claim 1 wherein the trailing portion is formed by a trailing upper section and trailing lower section.
 3. The ripper shoe of claim 2 wherein the trailing portion includes a trailing web that extends between the trailing upper section and the trailing lower section.
 4. The ripper shoe of claim 3 wherein the trailing upper section includes two top trailing lips which extend outwardly from each side of the trailing web.
 5. The ripper shoe of claim 4 wherein the trailing lower section includes two bottom trailing lips which extend outwardly from each side of the trailing web.
 6. The ripper shoe of claim 1 wherein the nose portion is wider than the trailing portion.
 7. The ripper shoe of claim 5 wherein the width of the trailing top lips is greater than the width of the trailing bottom lips.
 8. The ripper shoe of claim 1 wherein a side of trailing portion is substantially hollow.
 9. The ripper shoe of claim 2 wherein the length of the trailing upper section is greater than the length of the trailing lower section.
 10. The ripper shoe of claim 5 wherein the trailing top lips extend rearwardly further than the trailing bottom lips.
 11. The ripper shoe of claim 1 wherein the nose portion is formed by a nose upper section, nose lower section and a terminal end, the nose upper section and the nose lower section converging to terminate at the terminal end.
 12. The ripper shoe of claim 11 wherein the teeth are removable attached to the nose portion.
 13. The ripper shoe of claim 11 wherein the nose portion includes a nose web that extends between the nose upper section and the nose lower section.
 14. The ripper shoe of claim 13 wherein the nose upper section is inclined with respect to the nose lower section.
 15. The ripper shoe of claim 14 wherein the nose upper section includes two nose top lips which extend outwardly from each side of the nose web.
 16. The ripper shoe of claim 13 wherein the nose lower section includes two top nose lips which extend outwardly from each side of the nose web.
 17. The ripper shoe of claim 4 wherein at least one flange interconnects the trailing web and a trailing top lip.
 18. The ripper shoe of claim 15 at least one flange interconnects the nose web and a nose top lip.
 19. The ripper shoe of claim 1 wherein the attachment portion include a recess that located within at least the trailing portion.
 20. The ripper shoe of claim 19 wherein one or more lugs are located adjacent the recess. 